Hitching-post.



(No Model.)

Patented June 26, I900.

a. F. TILLEY.

HITCHING POST.

(Application filed 13120.4, 1897.)

2 Sheets-$heet I.

3/ ammwtoz No. 652,338; Patented June 26, mm. B. F. TILLEY.

HITCHING PUST.

Application filed Dec. 4, 1897.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2;

(No Model.)

PATEN Erica.

BENJAMIN F. TILLEY, OF LOUDONVILLE, OHIO.

HlTCHlNG-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,338, dated June 26, 1900. Application filed December 4, 1897. Serial No. 660,737. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. TILLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Loudonville, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hitching-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. This invention relates to improvements in hitching-posts, the object being to provide a hitchingpost inclosed within a suitable casing and designed to be folded below the surface of the ground when not in use and to be elevated and firmly locked in a vertical position when brought to the surface.

To this end the invention viding a casing of simple and durable construction especially adapted to be embedded in the ground and provided with a hinged lid or cover, a movable or folding post being mounted within the casing in a manner to permit its being folded entirely therein or to be elevated and locked in operative position, as hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of the post embodying my invention in its extended or operative position. Fig. 2 represents a central vertical section through the same when in its closed or inoperative position. Fig. 3 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the post and its supporting-brace. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention, showing the post elevated. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section through the subjectmatter of Fig. 4, the post being shown depressed within the casing; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of this form of the invention, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the preferred form of my invention illustrated in the first three figures of the drawings, 1 represents the hollow casing of my improved device, 2 the post proper, and 3 the brace. Said casing 1 may be of any desired construction and material adapted to accommodate the post 2 and brace 3 when the two latter are doubled down into the same. Said casing 1 is provided at one end with an extension 4, having an inclined brace 5, which latter forms one of the ends of consists in probase ortion with side led es or su orts 6 6 upon which the hinged brace 3 is adapted to rest when the post and brace are doubled down into the casing. Said ledges 6 6 terminate a short distance in front of the pivotpoint of the post 2, so .as to provide space for the enlarged end otally mounted between the casing 1 by a pivot-pin 8.

duced portion 9 ot' the post proper is adapted to rest upon the top of the brace 3 when the post and brace are doubled down into the casing. The upper end of the brace 3 is side walls of the The upper or rehinged to the post 2, as at 10, so that when said post is brought to a vertical position the brace will lie flat against the inclined wall 11, which connects the upper reduced portion of the post and the lower enlarged portion. The lower end of said brace 3 is held firmlyin. place when the post is in a vertical position by a stop 12, located between the supportingdedges 6 6 and secured to the bottom of the casing l. The pivot-point 8 of the post proper is located at some distance from its lower end, so that when it is desired to raise the post out of the casing a slight kick or pressure upon said post forward of said pivot-point will raise the opposite end of the post sufficiently to be grasped to raise it. When the post is in its raised position and it is desired to lower the same, the lower end of the brace 3 is first disengaged from the projection 12 by a slight upward movement and said brace and post then doubled down into the casingout of the way. When in this position, the side of the post lies flush with the top of the side walls of the casing 1, so that the same will offer no obstruction to the wheels of vehicles passing over the same. The upper end of said post 2 is provided with any suitable hitching ring or hook, to which the reins or other portions of the harness may be secured. I also contemplate providing the casing 1 with a removable cover 13 for preventing the entrance 7 of said post, which is piv= ICO of snow or ice during thewinter months, but this is not essential to the operation of my invention.

In the lastthree figures of the drawings I have illustrated a form of the invention especially designed for use in cold climates,

where the snow and ice would be apt to accumulate in the casing with the post in the elevated position, as it will be observed that the casing is necessarily left open when the post heretofore described is elevated. The distinguishing feature of this form or construction is a sectional cover, one section of which is designed to be closed over the easing to protect the latter and atthe same time constitute locking means forretainingahitching-post rigidly in a vertical position. The

use of the cover for this purpose obviates the necessity for the use of the brace 5.

. Referring to the numerals on the last three figures of the drawings, 14 indicates a casing composed, essentially, of side pieces 15 and I 16, end pieces 17 and 18, and a sectional cover composed of two independently-hinged sections 19 and 20, provided at their contiguous edges with an inclined or rabbeted lapping joint, asillustrated, for the purpose of permitting them to lie in close contact and prevent the admission of foreign matter when turned 1 down to a horizontal position.

20 of the cover when foldedinward, as shown in Fig. 4, acts as a hinged brace to hold the hitching-post 22 upright. The side pieces are extended upwardly atone end toapoint flush I with the upper surface of the cover when the latter is closed, in order that the top of the entire casing, with the exception of the ex- 5 treme ends, which are inclined, as shown, '1

L cover entirely closing said casing when the will lie substantially flush with the ground,

the inclination or end of the casing serving 1 to cause a layer of earth to project a sufficient I distance upon the top of the casing to insure v its position and to prevent it becoming dislodged under a strain exerted upon the post.

One of the end pieces may be extended somewhat in order to form an anchor or fin 21; 1 but this is immaterial, and is only illustrated as showing one means of insuring the permanency of the device.

22 indicates the hitching-post proper, piv- 1 oted at or adj acentto its lower extremity, as by 1 a pintle 23, passing transversely through the casing immediately in front of the end piece v 18, the relation of the parts being such that 3 when the post is elevated the adjacent end i piece will act as a stop to limit the movement of the post in one direction. The cover,which has been turned back to permit the elevation of the post, is now turned down in the direction of the casing until the section 19 impinges 1 against the side of the same and the section 20 rests flat upon the top of the casing and The section constitutes a stop, brace, or locking mechanism, preventing movement of the post in a direction opposite the end piece against which it impinges. It will now be seen that the post is securely held between the contiguous faces of the cover-section 20 and the adjacent end section and that said cover-section will completely inclose the cover-section to inclose the casing and protect the same from the disintegrating act-ion of an accumulation of water, snow, or ice. A stop-pin 23 may be provided within the casing to retain the other end of the post when it is folded therein, and in the latter position both sections of the cover are folded down and the entire device lies substantially flush with the ground and presents no obstacle to the passage of vehicles, 850.

It may be remarked in conclusion that the casing and post may be made of any suitable material; but at the present time metal is considered favorable by reason of its durability.

While I have illustrated and described what appear to be the preferable forms of my invention, I do not desire to limit myself to the structural details set out, but reserve the right to make such changes as may come within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A hitching-post comprising a casing, a hitching-post proper pivotally mounted and housed therein, and a hinged brace adapted to engage and hold the postin an upright position, substantially as described.

2. In a hitching-post, the combination with a suitable casing, of a post pivotally mounted therein in such manner as'to adapt it to be folded into the casing, and a divided hinged two parts of the cover are folded down upon it, one part thereof being adapted to lock the post in its elevated position, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a suitable casing adapted to be embedded in the ground, of a hitching-post pivotally mounted therein at one end in such manner as to adapt it to be folded into the casing, and a divided hinged cover for said casin g, one part thereof being adapted to lock the post in its elevated position, the adjacent ends of the parts ofthe divided cover being provided with a lap-joint and the two parts of the divided cover when folded down completely closing the casing, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. TILLEY.

\Vitnesses:

H. L. SANBORN, J. B. RIBLET.

IIO 

